After its debut success last year, Ouseburn Family Pride will be making a return this September for another day of celebration.
The inaugural event last year attracted crowds of around 4,000 people to the kick-back Ouseburn Valley area of Newcastle where once again venues including Seven Stories, the national centre for children's books; pubs and the local farm will be coming together to welcome visitors to the fun day. Taking place on September 18, the celebration of the LGBTQ+ community will be open to all and aimed at all ages.
It is organised by Northern Pride, following on from its huge UK Pride festival on the Town Moor in July, which has been working with local venues and charities to create a range of activities. Among the attractions on the programme will be live music and a family drag show at The Cluny; readings at Seven Stories for both young ones and teenagers of stories by local LGBTQ writers, and voguing - dance - workshops for teens.
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An inclusive pub up the hill, The Ship - which welcomes pets too in its dog-friendly beer garden - will be serving drinks, alongside its vegan menu, in a chill-out space for people to relax in during the day's action. Nearby pub The Cumberland Arms also will have plenty of its craft ales at the ready in support of the event.
Across at Ouseburn Farm - which is also a learning centre supporting adults with learning disabilities - in the heart of Ouseburn Valley, children can meet a range of animals. And The Ouseburn Trust, a charity which focuses upon sustainability, will be running craft workshops throughout the day.
The Family Pride, which will run from noon to 6pm, is making a comeback thanks to sponsorship from tech consultancy Opencast whose head of learning and culture, Sheena Widdowfield, said that, with the business having its headquarters in Byker, it is delighted to support the day.
“As a business, Opencast is committed to diversity and inclusion among its people, as well as in the community," she said. “This is such a great family event where there’s something for people of all ages to get together in one of Newcastle’s most exciting and fast-growing areas."
Nimerta Virdee, family and youth engagement officer from the organiser Northern Pride, added: “The Ouseburn Valley has a real sense of community so it’s the perfect location for a family Pride event. After the success of our first event last year, we’re really excited to bring Northern Pride back." For more information about what will be on offer keep an eye out here.
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